Expert warns Burnside tree 'likely to die'

A tree expert says Burnside Village Shopping Centre needs to install a new glass roof over its big river red gum or the tree is likely to die.

The centre has already spent about $100,000 on new automated doors to prevent cold air from outside the shopping centre drying out the leaves.

A further $20,000 has now been allocated for a water misting system and the centre's management is considering how to boost natural light.

Forest pathology Professor Giles Hardy from Murdoch University has been advising the Adelaide shopping centre and says the tree is not getting enough light to grow.

"I strongly believe that tree will get sicker and sicker because it's not getting enough light to replace its food, replace its starch, so the tree is most likely just living off a lot of its reserves at the moment," he said.

"There's special glass which you can use that lets sunlight through, we do know that the trees need a lot more light and that glass is shading out most of the light and as a consequence the tree can't photosynthesise properly."

The huge tree was left in place when the shopping centre was extended, becoming an indoor feature.

You have no doubt been hearing a lot about the Paris Agreement and know that it pertains to climate change, but are too embarrassed at this stage to ask for an overall explanation of what it's all about.